FIX: Only the internal storage is available when you synchronize content from Windows Media Player 11 to a Windows Mobile 5-based device with AKU 2.3

SYMPTOMS
You try to synchronize content from Microsoft Windows Media Player 11 to a Microsoft Windows Mobile 5-based device with AKU 2.3 or a later AKU. When you do this, the phone connects. However, only the internal storage on the phone is available in Windows Media Player as a synchronization target.

CAUSE
This issue occurs because the canonical name for Windows Mobile 5-based devices with AKU 2.3 and later AKUs is truncated in Microsoft Windows Media Device Manager. This hotfix eliminates a bug that causes this truncation to occur.

Download patch for Windows Vista x86-based computers here

Download patch for Windows Vista x64-based computers here

Wait! Do not upgrade to Vista yet

I was planning to purchase Windows Vista when I came across this article by Ben Stanley on Pocket PC Mag blogs relating the issues he came across after upgrading. Trust me, this is really worth reading. Ben reports that in order to sync your device you will need to purchase Office 2007, otherwise it just doesn’t work. Office 2007 is not cheap. Windows Mobile Device Center will let you sync your Mobile Favorites and files only. The article does not mention if Vista is compatible with Office XP/2003. Once more, this is recommended reading. Hasta la vista. Read more...

Windows Mobile Device Center for Vista released

IF you have already upgraded to Windows Vista, which I intend to do soon, you must download Device Center if you want to keep your devices in sync with your PC. I used the word MUSt because Activesync doesn't work with Vista, so you don't really have the choice here. So go for it, it's free. Download here, via Jason Landgridge's Weblog